A Must Read We want to share with youThis article has been used by CDP with permission from award winning investigative journalist Richard Behar (www.RichardBehar.com)Mining Copper in ZambiaBy: Richard BeharThe Chinese government has been very encouraging of their Zambian adventure, Huang tells me. "They said they can protect me if we get into trouble." Moreover, adds He, "if a Chinese entrepreneur invests a significant amount overseas, you could be entitled to a zero-interest loan." He concedes that "if the commodity price goes down, you can lose, but that's the risk of life." If they win, they could reap gains of 100 times their stake.

I watch the brothers open an account with a local banker seated beside them in the hotel. They then excitedly fire up a laptop to take me on a photo tour of their company and their experiences in Zambia, which included visiting the country's vice president and founding president at their homes and presenting them with gifts of silk garments. It's hard not to get swept up in the brothers' joy, their dream of a copper empire. They marvel at how globalization and a shrinking planet have led to our encounter on the couch. "The media is so open, like your coming to Zambia," He says. When I tell them Chinese embassies in Africa don't return my calls, Huang suggests, "Tell them you love China and love China's policy." Then after a smile and a pause, he adds: "If you're a journalist, they will never talk to you; because you're American."Read Full Article

It is with great enthusiasm and patriotic resolve that the Citizens Democratic Party announces its formal registration with the Registrar of Societies. Our citizens who have had the opportunity to have even a mere glimpse of our visionthe past two years have been waiting and wondering why we have shied from political activism since our first mention in the mainstream Zambian media, when clearly we have the most formidable solutions to our country's woes. We may have been silent, but not sedated and our deliberate "delay" has been well-spent. We have been putting great thought into how we best engineer the future of our beloved nation, for truly its fate lies in us the Zambian citizenry. We have observed the current political dispensation of the country as still lacking of a strong party, with a realisable vision that addresses the root causes of our current social and economic plight of our citizens, rather than amplify empty promises coupled with empty criticisms in the form of political rhetoric. The "biggest" development has been the formation of pacts, that seem to misunderstand that our country does not need "pacts" labeled as great political achievements, but is in need of a political leadership with a credible and strong enough agenda not requiring going into shaky partnerships of political expediency. And that is precisely what our party and its membership seeks and represents: an agenda that puts people first, before political expediency.

The Citizens Democratic Party has not solely been formed for participation in the 2011 elections, nor have we been formed to simply catapult someone into State House. It is our belief that political parties in a political environment such as Zambia’s, whether in government or opposition can contribute to the success or failure of a nation. For Zambia’s success, the party in government must be seen to have an agenda, reflective and reactive to the serious challenges our citizenry face, and the opposition parties are duty-bound to not only criticize, but to offer solid and practical solutions as alternatives to the party in government. This scenario is markedly missing in Zambian politics today. As CDP, our chosen and absolute preserve is contributing to the success of our country as imagined on October 24 1964. Our profoundly unique party manifesto is not one of campaign promises, but practical solutions and thus reads unlike any other manifesto.

CDP intends to attract a responsible membership whose allegiance will be pledged first to our principles and ideals centered on our party ideology "Putting People First". Out of this responsible membership shall emerge the agents of change to affect our country’s direction. We anticipate that it will not be an easy path, but nonetheless necessary. With our resolve as an organization to “blaze a new path not undertaken yet in Zambian politics”, our method of operation is likewise unprecedented. CDP is proud to announce that following our unduly arduous yet successful registration, our interim leadership has agreed that “climbing a tree from the top is neither advisable nor wise”. This means we will not immediately seek participation in the Presidential Elections of 2011. We do however intend to fully participate in the Parliamentary Elections, in order to get cultured CDP Members into Parliament to influence our country’s direction. It is a half-truth and well-veiled deception to say that change can only be effected from State House. The obsession of going to State House [by our current politicians and their respective parties] has in fact blurred the vision of building and restoring our country. CDP will not fall into this trap.

CDP is not "Zambian politics as usual". Our “launch” will depart from the traditional sense as established. We are spreading our unprecedented message through our current party members using various means; internet, radio, even by bus transportation routes! We will then proceed to a party conference in January of 2011. Our agenda concerning the same will be expressly made available to our citizenry via the same means.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."